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DISCOURSE 81
117
WHO IS YOUR EXAMPLE ?
Do you set before yourselves, the examples of these great men ? Who is your example ? You will not tell me; but I know it. You see the wealthy men of to-day. You see their standard and style of living. That too you keep looking upwards. At least, if you look towards the lower levels, you will learn some good things.
A certain industrialist of India was once travelling by a ship. At that time, a famous actor happened to be sitting by his side. The Industrialist was deeply absorbed in looking through his files. He did not even glance at the famous actor sitting by his side. The actor was greatly surprised. He also felt a little dishonoured. He thought, "I am a famous actor but this gentleman has not cared even to glance at me though I am sitting by his side. Probably he does not know my name”. The actor said, “I am .... (He mentioned his name)".
The industrialist glanced towards him and said, “Very good. I am .... (He mentioned his name)”.
"Have you not seen the movies in which I have acted ?"
"No, sir. I do not want to waste my time. I am always busy. I do not find time to see movies".
The actor sat mute. The industrialist did not waste his time or money. He spent his wealth for noble causes. If somebody was building a temple, and if the people in charge of building the temple came to him and asked for cement, he gave as much cement as they wanted free of cost from his own factory. He had also got many temples built at his own expense. This is a story that took place in our country. Now listen to the story of a foreign industrialist.
Mr. Rockfeller, the famous American industrialist, once went to a hotel in Washington. He said to the manager of the hotel. "I want a room at as low a rent as possible. I need only an ordinary and cheap room". The Manager knew Mr. Rockfeller. He said, “Sir, you are a great industrialist. You are
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